29. Stepping Into the Unknown

Little by little, the darkness engulfed the two lovers. Only streetlights illuminated the room while the two quietly enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, gently caressing each other. The touch felt warm, but there was no seduction, only tenderness.

It didn't take long before Lucas's stomach growled, bringing them back to reality. Their only meal had been a sandwich and a cup of coffee throughout the day. Lucas, half-sleep, said, "Kyle? We didn't open the store today."

Kyle replied with a lazy smile, still content. "Relax. We will do it tomorrow, or maybe it would be best on Monday. But we should get some food."

Lucas chuckled while removing the blankets that had been half covering them. "We are not really good at being entrepreneurs, are we?"

Kyle smirked out of custom he offered, "Let's say we are doing some market research and looking for collaborations; let's go to Lilian's cafe."

"Lilian?" Lucas gulped; suddenly, his heart raced, and his body was still heavy above Kyle's. Despite their kinship, he was still lost on how to interact with her now that everything was out in the opening. Was she aware that Kyle had been giving him potions? And what about her time training him in the art of cooking? Somehow, it felt like he had lost all strength.

Kyle felt Lucas's breathing become erratic, and his chest immediately constricted. "It's all because of our lies. I am so sorry, Lucas." He immediately cupped Lucas's face. "We can go somewhere else if you want to."

Lucas closed his eyes briefly and breathed deeply, trying to control his emotions. Despite the early tension, there were many things only another witch could explain. "Nah, let's go to Lilian. I want some answers."

Kyle's chest softened; it felt suddenly warm. Lucas got up, but Kyle reached out for a kiss before he left the bedroom. The contact left a tickling sensation on his lips, which Lucas reciprocated by embracing Kyle. The gesture grounded them both.

Kyle tightened his arms around Lucas, his voice soft but playful. "I might not be perfect as a businessman, but you aren't either because you could ask any price for your kisses, and I would even trade my soul for them."

Lucas chuckled, his forehead resting against Kyle's. "It is good then that I am such a charitable person." The tension between them seemed to loosen.

Kyle caressed Lucas's back slightly, delicately circling his shoulders; he was still afraid of letting his desire flow freely. He breathed deeply. Lucas smelled still of fresh soap, and he involuntarily shivered. He couldn't believe how much he loved soap now.

Kyle whispered, "I love you, Lucas. " His expression softened. "I will say I am sorry as often as necessary and do my best to compensate you for your pain. I am..."

Lucas silenced him with another kiss, "Let's get a sandwich or two in Lilian's cafe."

When leaving the apartment building, Lucas felt that the last step of the staircase had suddenly gained another inch, so he stood there for a little while. Kyle opened the door, returned a few steps, and gently took Lucas's hand, making small circles in Lucas's palm. Their gazes met.

Lucas gulped, "Everything is different now."

"We can stay," Kyle offered.

"No, let's go. Please hold my hand." Lucas's eyes were wide.

The night air was cold; it bit as soon as they left the apartment building, making Lucas shiver. Kyle faced him and accommodated Lucas's shirt and coat to protect his throat. Their forehead touched slightly for a few seconds, and they continued their walk.

Lucas took a deep breath, feeling the world's weight shift under his feet. The buildings around him hadn't changed, but his understanding of them had. Everything felt... larger, more alive. He had spent his entire life walking among these streets, unaware of the magic pulsing beneath them. Lucas's steps were slow, but he didn't stop. He blinked rapidly while gripping Kyle's hand tightly. Kyle pressed back, tracing small circles with his fingertips, trying to lower Lucas's discomfort.

Kyle kept glancing at Lucas as they walked, his heart heavy with guilt for bringing him to a dangerous world. Still, another part of Kyle admired Lucas's ability to adapt quickly, even if he was still processing everything. Kyle sighed and gripped Lucas's hand tightly; he wanted nothing more than to love Lucas, protect him, and stand by his side—not out of guilt, but because Lucas was choosing this path, embracing it with a quiet strength Kyle couldn't ignore.

Lucas's steps lowered until stopping altogether. It took him some time to attune to what was happening. It felt like an ancient song he heard whispering through the endless golden mountain grasslands. It came from the park where he and Kyle had walked each morning before getting into their transport to the University. There was a powerful yet benign presence calling him. The pull was powerful. Lucas's eyes widened, and his lips parted. Lucas pointed out in the park's direction, mumbling, "What... what's that?"

Kyle smiled. "Debod's temple. You can feel it now. It was dedicated to Amon and Isis. The divine aspects of the magic temple are what kept us hidden all this time. We don't stand out here."

"Whatever is there is not bad. It might want to talk to us," Lucas stuttered and stepped toward the park. But Kyle grabbed him, chuckling slightly. He shook his head. "Better stay away from there. I can't believe it. Moments ago, you didn't want to leave the apartment, and now you want to visit ancient gods."

Kyle pulled Lucas closer and deposited another kiss, this time on Lucas's forehead. "You're stronger than I ever thought," he murmured under his breath, knowing Lucas might not fully understand how much that meant. His eyes glinted with mischief, and he gently pushed Lucas to keep walking, "Come on, now I am also starving."

They continued their walk, illuminated by the streetlights. The game of shadows and light hid when Kyle glanced at Lucas again, this time with a soft smile. The guilt wasn't going away but was now tempered by admiration and, above all, by love. Despite the cold of the night, his chest felt warm. Lucas was still processing so many emotions, but he promised himself he wouldn't let Lucas face this world alone—not now, not ever. The warmth in Lucas's hand kept him grounded; he breathed deeply. Lucas was like oxygen that kept his fire burning bright. He needed to stay by Lucas's side.

Yet what if Lilian's revelations are too much for Lucas? Kyle had figured out Lucas's natural magic. He could be his mentor and protect him, but what if he smothered Lucas? Keeping Lucas away from danger had resulted in a futile task; Teufel found Lucas and almost killed him during torture. He nearly lost Lucas. It would be best to let him seek answers and be just there, protecting him.

The night was cold, making Lucas's skin shiver, or perhaps the emotions he held inside were unleashing. Lucas's breath became increasingly shallow and quick as he recognized the familiar streets close to Lilian's cafe. The sweet and slightly fruity smell of passionflowers filled his nostrils. The door of Lilian's store adorned by mismatched pots with flowers came into view.

"I feel it now. The flowers and their smell are soothing to my soul," Lucas whispered. His breathing became uneven. Lilian was... His eyes widened as realization kicked in. He looked back and forth to Kyle and then to the plants. He sighed. "Everything makes sense now: the potions against heartbreak, the brigadeiros ingredients are full of endorphin boosters, add just a little magic, and voila."

Lucas's breath caught as memories washed over him—each dish Lilian had taught him to make, each subtle ingredient now making sense. His mind raced, connecting dots he hadn't even known were there. Lucas's heart raced as everything clicked into place—the potions, the ingredients, the carefully chosen herbs. It had all been right before him, but only now could he see the magic quietly guiding him.

Lucas left a soft chuckle. Magic, like food, had always been intertwined in his life, but without his grandma, everything changed. He now hoped to recover those crafts, the capacity to make people stronger, happier, and more resilient against heartbreak and rage. A sense of purpose filled him, but also clarity. It wasn't that far from his original purpose to study medicine in the first place: to heal people and recover the legacy his grandma left but with science. How similar were his goals to Kyle's all along?

Kyle noticed Lucas's swift change of emotions. He held his breath, thinking that perhaps  Lucas was about to change his mind, but he heard him chuckle, and his muscles relaxed. What he didn't expect was a fluttering kiss on his cheek. His eyes watered just slightly as he returned the gesture with a kiss in Lucas's hand. The tickle sensation made them both shiver.

They arrived at the entrance and stopped there for a moment. Lucas held his breath for a moment. His hand lingered on the door handle, the cool metal grounding him for a brief second. Beyond this door, his life would never be the same. Part of him wanted to run—to return to the life he understood—but another part pushed him forward. A familiar warmth held him in place. It seeped through his palm, igniting the fire that kept his heart beating. He smiled and straightened up expectantly as if the doors to the secret world his grandma and Kyle inhabited were about to open.

Lucas pushed the door open, still holding Kyle's hand. However, as soon as he stepped inside, a water bucket fell onto his head. "What the—?" he yelped, instinctively raising his hands to shield himself, but he found he was just soaked, not drowning.

Dazed, he blinked and watched as the droplets splashed around him, hanging like tiny shimmering diamonds, illuminated by the warm golden light streaming through the window. He tilted his head slightly to his left side, trying to grasp what was happening; the droplets were simmering and vibrating mid-air. He stepped back, only to find a familiar, warm presence nearby. He glanced around the room, searching for an answer; Lillian stood in a flowery dress, an apron tied around her waist, and her hair contained in a messy bun. She was cleaning with a bucket of water and a towel.

"Impossible," he breathed, mesmerizing, reaching out to touch a droplet. It was like a perfect crystal; in close view, the golden light became a collection of red, green, yellow, and blues. The entire rainbow in a tiny droplet. He touched it, but it melted in his fingertips. For a moment, he felt like he was standing on the edge of something profound and beautiful.

"Lilian, why are you doing this?" Lucas asked.

A baritone voice came from behind. "Actually, you are controlling the droplets from falling."

Kyle couldn't help but smile as he watched Lucas instinctively hold the droplets aloft. His heart swelled with pride and joy, seeing Lucas take to magic with such natural ease. It was more than he'd expected this early on, and the sight of Lucas discovering his potential filled him with a warmth he couldn't quite put into words. Kyle's heart felt lighter. For the first time in a long while, he could clearly envision a future—one where Lucas didn't shy away from the magic but embraced it together with him.

"Wow! For a beginner, it is not bad," came a cheerful voice. Lilian had a playful glint in her eye as she flicked her wrist, drawing the water droplets back to her.

"Is this magic?" Lucas grinned, his heart racing—not from fear, but from the joy swelling within him. The golden droplets reminded him of his grandmother's tales of witches and mischievous forest creatures.

A wave of relief washed over Kyle as Lucas's voice filled the room with excitement instead of hesitation. For all the anxiety Kyle had felt about introducing Lucas to the world of magic, this moment reassured him. Lucas wasn't afraid—he was curious, eager, and ready to embrace the unknown. And that made everything feel right. Yet, Could he truly shield Lucas from the dangers this new world entailed? A tinge of guilt stirred in him—there were many things left to say, and now there was no turning back.

Lillian sighed a mock pout on her lips. "Such a shame! I really thought you were a water user! Turns out you have the spirit of the trade winds inside. My bad."

"The trade winds?" Lucas asked, furrowing his brows. Memories of golden grasslands and a song came to his mind. A voice beckoning him to find a place he could call home. Whispers about repaying the kindness of a stranger with golden eyes. Just then, Kyle wrapped his strong arms around him from behind, the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloping him.

"Steady winds that blow from east to west near the equator," Kyle murmured, a teasing lilt in his voice. "That means your magic is tied to air. Quite fitting, considering your grandma was a wind user, too."

"And that swirl of wind follows you around when angry."

Kyle wrapped his strong arms around Lucas from behind, the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloping him. His heart tightened with a protective instinct, a promise he silently made to keep Lucas safe, no matter what dangers this magic world might bring. Kyle gently kissed the back of Lucas's head, making him feel a warm flutter in his chest. "You instinctively protected yourself with the air currents, keeping the droplets suspended. Honestly, I didn't expect you to be doing this after just a couple of potions."

"Is that like telekinesis? What does that mean?" Lucas asked, still a bit dizzy.

"Not exactly," Lillian chimed in, crossing her arms. "It's more like the air around you follows your lead—right now, it's just your instincts."

"Close your eyes," Kyle whispered, his voice low and soft.

Lucas obliged, a slight smile creeping onto his face. "What do you feel?" Kyle asked, his breath warm against Lucas's ear.

Lucas chuckled, "Um, you?" He paused, relaxing into Kyle's embrace. "The air feels warm like I'm at home here."

"Good! What else?" Kyle's voice dipped lower, teasing. There was something intimate about guiding Lucas through this experience, the magic between them palpable, yet the simple warmth of holding him close stirred Kyle's heart the most.

The scent of sandalwood mixed with soap filled the air. Kyle let out a soft growl that sounded like a mix of a chuckle and the purr of a content feline. Lucas's laughter joined in. It was as if the air around them was cradling more than just magic—the connection they shared.

"The scents—sandalwood and citrus! It's intense," Lucas replied, laughing. "When you laugh, it's like a concert, resonating all over."

Kyle grinned, placing a soft kiss on Lucas's cheek. "Imagine we're in a cocoon made of warm air."

Lucas is pictured being wrapped in a safe and secure, soft blanket. Focusing, he felt a gentle caress swirl around him, tenderly embracing the familiar and inviting element.

"Now open your eyes," Kyle urged, pulling back slightly. A wild wind danced around them, carrying small golden specks of dust. See? You're already a natural."

Lucas's heart raced, his breath uneven. Was his grandmother able to do things like this effortlessly? He felt a sense of connection with his past and with the world at large. Despite its dangerous nature, he couldn't help but accept that he was drawn to its beauty.

They both laughed, the air around them settling, mirroring their relief. Lucas felt lighter; the magic surrounding them was nothing to fear but to embrace. Yet, even amid the joy, a tinge of worry flickered in Lucas's mind. What if he failed? What if the magic overwhelmed him or put Kyle in danger? He stole a glance at Kyle, whose unwavering support made him feel cherished, but he couldn't shake the guilt of dragging him into this unknown world.

Suddenly, Lillian cleared her throat, her cheeks a delightful shade of pink. "Maybe we can continue exploring your magic over some pastries and coffee. I'll grab some—unless you two plan to turn this place into a cozy love nest!" She winked, making both Lucas and Kyle chuckle even more.

Kyle and Lucas took a table, and Lillian and Joao joined them. The coconut truffle was filled with condensed milk and grated coconut. Lucas smiled, though a part of him still felt hesitant. The magic and the possibilities felt new and a bit overwhelming. But as he took a bite of the bejhinos and felt the sweetness on his tongue, something softened inside him. A spark of curiosity began to replace the lingering doubts.

Lucas glanced at Kyle, who was watching him with that steady gaze—the same one that always seemed to say, "I'm here and believe in you." Lucas played with the remnants of the truffles on the plate. He sighed. Gathering the strength to jump into the world of magic required courage, and he thought he needed to be prepared, but in the end, it was more related to accepting that staying with Kyle meant embracing all of it.

"Lilian, I want to ask you a favor," Lucas began, feeling a flutter of nerves. "Could you teach me the ways of magic?" His voice wavered slightly, but as soon as the words left his lips, a sense of excitement followed. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Lilian smiled warmly. "Sure, but I'm not a wind user. I can help with some basic things, but you'll need someone else to guide you to become a strong magician."

Kyle furrowed his brows, considering the options. "Maybe Uriel would be interested. His magic is related to air, but he can be a tough mentor."

Lucas shrugged, the hesitation still lingering for a moment, but then something inside him steadied. "It's fine to start with you, Lilian. When can we begin?"

Lilian pondered for a moment. "How about tomorrow? If you don't mind working on a Sunday. We should start with a small exercise that could be applied to your empanada business. Would you like that?"

Kyle exchanged a glance with Lucas, and when their eyes met, Lucas felt a warmth blossom in his chest. Maybe this wasn't just about learning magic—it was about understanding a part of himself, and he wasn't doing it alone.

Lucas nodded.

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," Kyle said, a smile spreading across his face. "And I can help too, you know."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still slightly unsure. "You?"

"Yeah," Kyle said, leaning forward, his excitement contagious. "As a fire user, I can contribute sometimes to your training. Fire and wind are compatible elements, after all. When they come together, they can create powerful results."

Something clicked in Lucas's mind. He paused, overwhelmed with joy, as the words sank in. "Wind and fire, even in magic, we are compatible." He reached out, softly touching Kyle's hand, fingers tracing his skin with a newfound certainty. "That... that sounds amazing."

Kyle's excitement grew as Lucas's eyes lit up at the thought of wind and fire coming together. He reached for Lucas's hand, feeling the warmth of their bond strengthen with every word."Just imagine what we could create together," he said, his voice brimming with affection. It wasn't just the magic that thrilled him—the idea of facing whatever came next side by side, creating something powerful with the person who meant the world to him. Yet by doing this, they would have to face Teufel, the people of Empanadas Mariana, and who knows who else to succeed. He gazed at Lucas's shimmering eyes. Kyle's heart was filled with resolution. It was worth it.

Lilian nodded, her smile brightening. "You two will make a fantastic team."

Lucas beamed at Kyle, the earlier doubts fading away, replaced by something stronger—a belief in magic and what they could become together. This was more than just training; it was an opportunity to explore their unique abilities.

"Tomorrow it is, then!" Lucas exclaimed, his voice steady, filled with determination.

Kyle felt a deep sense of joy wash over him. He couldn't wait to embark on this journey with Lucas, exploring the intricacies of their powers and forging an even stronger bond.